Air-bag

Abstract

An air-bag is disclosed which incorporates regions of fabric which define a mouth, the mouth being mounted to an air-bag housing such that at least part of the mouth is mounted to the housing by a mount initially positioned to hold an edge part of the fabric defining the mouth adjacent the housing. The mount is capable of movement to move to a position in which the edge of the fabric defining the mouth is spaced from the housing to define a vent between the edge of the mouth and housing.

1. An air-bag comprising regions of a fabric which define a mouth, the mouth being mounted to an air-bag housing at least part of the mouth being mounted to the housing by a mount initially positioned to hold an edge part of the fabric defining the mouth at a first position, the mount being capable of movement to a second position in which the edge part of the fabric defining the mouth is spaced from the housing to define a vent between the edge part of the fabric defining the mouth and the housing, the mount comprises a rigid element, having first and second spaced-apart substantially linear arms, one arm of the element being received within a slot formed in the housing so as to be pivotal about its axis, the other arm of the element being connected to the edge part of the fabric. 
   
   
     2. An air-bag according to  claim 1  wherein a release mechanism is provided, the release mechanism being adapted to initially retain the mount in the first position, and to release the mount to permit the mount to move to the second position. 
   
   
     3. An air-bag according to  claim 2  wherein the release mechanism is a frangible device which breaks when a predetermined pressure is present within the air-bag. 
   
   
     4. An air-bag according to  claim 2  wherein the release mechanism is a device which releases the mount in response to a predetermined control signal. 
   
   
     5. An air-bag according to  claim 1  wherein the rigid element comprises a wire loop forming the first and second arms. 
   
   
     6. An air-bag according to  claim 5  wherein the vent is formed by an opening between the arms. 
   
   
     7. An air-bag according to  claim 1  wherein the first position is adjacent the housing and the second position is spaced from the housing. 
   
   
     8. An air-bag according to  claim 1  wherein the pressure, within the air-bag urges the mount to move between the first position and the second position.